It is for the team to decide when the investigation will be concluded but I hope it will be within a reasonable time frame. The terms of reference indicate that if other allegations surface the team will also investigate them. The team will conduct interviews with complainants, the person complained of and any other relevant persons to establish the facts surrounding a complaint. It may also make recommendations on any related matter it may deem appropriate in the interests of the health, safety and welfare of both patients and staff and it will deal with any other issues that pertain to this investigation and that could affect others.
We have ongoing plans in terms of the refurbishment of mental hospitals and, more specifically, in terms of reducing the numbers of people who are inappropriately placed in mental institutions in the first instance. We have had to deal with this historic legacy. Progress has been made but much more needs to be done over the next two years. However, the funding is in place to continue the capital programmes that will relocate people from what are currently inappropriate placements to more satisfactory therapeutic placements.
Many of us have visited mental health institutions or old style hospitals, many of which leave much to be desired in terms of their physical fabric and so on. Much has already been done, although the chief inspector would say that progress has been slow. However, we are avoiding the mistakes of other countries in terms of the "de-institutionalisation" of mental health patients. I hope there will be significant improvement in the coming years.